go to jove.com

HIGH SCHOOL

Biology

Concept Videos

Anatomy and Physiology

This is a free preview. For full access

Blood

How Red Blood Cells Are Recycled

Description

Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are constantly moving through tiny blood capillaries. This movement creates friction that wears down the plasma membrane. Over about 100 to 120 days, the cells become rigid and fragile.

Old erythrocytes often get trapped as they pass through small vessels in the ...

Transcript

The circulating erythrocytes frequently squeeze through blood capillaries, damaging their plasma membrane due to constant friction.

After about 100 to 120 days, erythrocytes wear out, becoming rigid and fragile. They get trapped and fragment while passing through the small vessels in the spleen and liver.

Here, the resident phagocy...

Tags

Erythrocyte LifecycleRed Blood CellsHemoglobin RecyclingIron StorageBilirubin MetabolismPhagocytic MacrophagesErythropoiesisTransferrin ProteinFerritin HemosiderinUrobilinogen Excretion

More videos by Standards